Celebrating housing apprentices: Wellhouse and Eildon

Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2019 is taking place from 4 to 8 March. To mark the week and celebrate the benefits Modern Apprenticeships bring to the housing sector – and the apprentices themselves – SFHA is featuring some of its members’ apprentices in Housing Scotland Today.

Today’s apprentices are from Wellhouse and Eildon Housing Associations.

Ethan Cleary, 17, is a Modern Apprentice with Wellhouse Housing Association in Glasgow.

He said: “I started an 18-month modern apprenticeship with Wellhouse Housing Association, in November 2018.

“The main benefits of my apprenticeship are that I have an insight into how the association is run, and I get to work with all of the staff and try various roles. I am working with the Housing Management Team at the moment, learning reception duties, customer service and learning about tenancy obligations. I will be able to help people apply for a home and help them to enjoy their tenancy.

“Soon I will also be going to work with the Maintenance Team and Estate Wardens as well as the Finance Team. I will also be going out and about with our local contractors, and I’ll be able to learn about what they do. Later on, I’ll be able to do some work with other groups in the community.

“My future plans are to complete my apprenticeship successfully and get good feedback at the end. I will make a decision on what type of career to pursue in a housing association now that I have the opportunity to experience all of the roles.”

James Crombie, 18, and Owen Shiell, 19, are Modern Apprentices with Eildon Housing Association, which is based in the Borders.

James said: “I’m six months into my post at Eildon Housing Association, undertaking a Modern Apprenticeship as a Finance Assistant.

“I am studying a level two AAT qualification and decided to undertake an apprenticeship to gain valuable experience on the job, whilst studying towards a recognised qualification, not to forget, earning some cash along the way!

“I am hoping to complete my AAT studies in the next few years and continue to develop my learning by undertaking the ACCA course.

Owen said: “As Eildon’s Housing Apprentice, I have the opportunity to balance learning about a housing association whilst gaining vital on the job experience.

“It’s given me a deeper understanding of why we do what we do in delivering housing and care services and what my role is in that bigger picture.

“I’m enjoying working for Eildon, helping our tenants and communities, and I am making the most of opportunities to learn by saying ‘yes’ to any that come up. Hopefully that will help me get a permanent position here after the two-year course and progress my career further in housing.”